Letters Home From Congress

This collection features letters home from Warren R. Austin
(Senator, 1931-1946), Jacob Collamer (Representative, 1843-1848; Senator,
1855-1865), and Samuel C. Crafts (Representative, 1817-1824; Senator
1842-1843). The letters document travel to and from Washington by horse,
boat, train, and airplane; lodging in boarding houses, hotels, and homes;
social life in Washington; significant local and national events; and
legislative issues under consideration in Congress. Austin's letters are
particularly strong in their coverage of his frustration at being a minority
Senator during the era of Roosevelt and the New Deal; his activities on the
Judiciary Committee; and foreign affairs questions such as the Neutrality
Act. The letters of Crafts and Collamer both extensively cover the question
of slavery, discussing Missouri statehood, John Brown, the annexation of
Texas, and the Civil War. All three Congressmen frequently discuss questions
regarding appropriations and the Federal budget. Biographical information is
available from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, at:
http://bioguide.congress.gov/biosearch/biosearch.asp

Topics include Spanish war; Florida and slavery; Representative Henry Clay's (KY) aspirations to become President after President James Monroe; Secretary of State John Quincy Adams; Representative Joel Crawford (GA).

Letter to brother-in-law. Topics include health of members of Congress; health of son Samuel P. Crafts; Representative Henry Clay to introduce a Senate resolution on the admission of Missouri to the United States; Florida treaty and Spain.

Letter to wife. Topics include party for the anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans at General Brown's; Crafts' introduction to General Lafayette and presentation of a resolution inviting him to visit Vermont.

Letter to wife. Topics include question of Missouri's acceptance into the United States by Congress and split between Northern and Southern members; federal deficit and consideration of reduction of pay for government employees; social life; invitation to dine at President James Monroe's.

Letter to wife. Topics include health of son Samuel P. Crafts;
health of members of Congress; two members of the House and one Senator have
died from causes possibly related to an influenza outbreak that fall.

Letter to wife. Topics include health of son Samuel P. Crafts; health of members of Congress; votes on admitting Missouri to the United States with slaves failed by three and six votes on successive days.

Letter to wife. Topics include duel between General Mason and
Captain McCarty of Virginia over a political quarrel resulting in the death
of General Mason; debate over censure of General Andrew Jackson over his
engagement of the war in Florida.

Letter to wife. Topics include activities of a Congressman; constituent business; death of Representative George Mumford (NC); society events hosted by the President, and the British and French ministers.